The companies of the 42nd Battalion from Perth, Smiths Falls, Almonte, Fitzroy and Landsdowne all were at Brockville within twenty-four hours. No. 4 Company of Fitzroy, under Captain Allan Fraser, with the greatest distance to travel, mustered at Kinburn, moving from there by wagon to Pakenham and by rail to Brockville. Captain John A. Macdonald’s history of the Fenian Raids states:

“The Forty Second did very great service in protecting the railway docks and other points of landing at Brockville, besides patrolling the river banks as far east as Maitland, thus keeping up a chain of communication with the garrison at Prescott. Several ‘scares’ occurred during the time they were on service, which caused sleepless nights, but by their vigilance the Fenians were deterred from making an attack.”

At Prescott, opposite which a large body of Fenians had gathered at Ogdensburg, seven hundred and fifty officers and men were placed under Lieut. Colonel Jackson, Brigade Major of the 8th Brigade Division. The greatest probability of attack from Fenians assembled at Malone was deemed to be on Cornwall. The Cornwall command was placed with Lieut. Colonel Atcherly, Deputy Adjutant General of Military District No. 4. Here the 59th Battalion was mustered, joined by the 41st Battalion by steamboat from Brockville with its Pakenham, Carleton Place, Perth, Merrickville, Brockville and Gananoque companies and accompanied by its Carleton Place battalion band. A valuable corps of about sixty mounted scouts was gathered, and an armed steamer patrolled the river. Here as at other Ontario points the Fenians failed to venture across the water in the face of the defences mounted for their reception. Fenians at Buffalo who had gathered from several states, intending to cross the river after a successful outcome of the Quebec frontier operations, soon returned to their homes and the Fenian Raids of 1870 were at an end.

On Guard Against The Fenians

The 41st Battalion’s Carleton Place No. 5 Company and Band serving at Cornwall totalled fifty-three officers and men, under Captain John Brown and Ensign David McPherson. Its lieutenant, J. Jones Bell, had left earlier in the month to become an officer of the Ontario Battalion in the expedition to quell the Red River Rebellion. No. 5 Company non-commissioned officers were Sergeants Robert W. Bell, Ephriam Kilpatrick and Robert Metcalf; Corporals James Moore, A. Hume, William Patterson and William Rattray, and Bandmaster J. C. Bonner. Of the forty-three privates in the Carleton Place Company and Band on active service at Cornwall no more than three had been with the company in its Brockville service in 1866. They were George McPherson, George Willis and Richard Willis, all of the regimental band.

Among other No. 5 Company privates from the Carleton Place area serving at Cornwall during the 1870 raids were Samuel Crampton, Frank Boyle, Alex and John Drynan, David Henry, James Irvine, Henry Metcalf, William Moffatt, David Moffatt, blacksmith, and David Moffatt, carpenter, William Munro, George Morphy, William Murray, Daniel McDougall, Brice McNeely, Jerome McNeely and Thomas McNeely, Charles Patterson, William Pittard, William Poole, John Rattray, Duncan Stewart, W. S. Watson, and Alex Wilson.

David Moffatt (1848-1926), carpenter, a private of age 22 during the 1870 raids, became a building contractor and planning mill operator with his brother Samuel, later of Renfrew, and was the father of William, Howard and Lloyd Moffatt. His father James (1819-1901) lived then in the stone house remaining on the riverside beyond the end of High Street, where David Moffatt senior in 1820 had become one of the early farm settlers of the vicinity of Carleton Place. Daniel McDougall and later his son Norman were farmers on Glen Isle. Charles Patterson was then age 19 and a cabinetmaker with William Patterson. William W. Pittard (1850-1938), who was a printer with the Carleton Place Herald, founded in 1882 the Almonte Times, which he published until his retirement. Unmarried, he died at age 88 in a fire in his Almonte home. During the First World War he was mayor of Almonte. William Poole, age 21, was the eldest son of the Herald publisher. John Rattray, 21, and Corporal William Rattray, 25, were sons of William Rattray (1812-1898), Beckwith 11th Line farmer who came there with his parents in 1822.

Bandmaster J. C. Bonner recently had opened a shop selling musical instruments and stationery on Bridge Street near Bell Street, and advertised his services as “Band Master, Teacher of Piano, Melodeon, Organ, Voice, Thorough Bass and Harmony, Violin, etcetera.” Sergeant Robert Metcalf, hotel-keeper, and Corporal William Patterson, cabinetmaker, were the other non-commissioned officers of the battalion’s Carleton Place band at Cornwall. Other band members included Privates Joseph H. Bond, 30, tinsmith; William Glover, 33, blacksmith; James Morphy, 27, butcher; and James Munro, 39, carpenter; also Alex. McLean, 19, carpenter; John McLean, 25, store clerk; George McPherson, 30, later hotelkeeper; and Franklin Teskey, 29, later a town councillor, son of Appleton miller Joseph Teskey. Privates George E. Willis, 26, photographer, Richard Willis, 29, and William Willis, 22, sons of Lake Avenue West farmer George Willis; and Joseph Wilson, 27, later hotelkeeper and Alex. Wilson, 20, sons of Dr. William Wilson, completed the 1870 roll of band musicians of the 41st Battalion in its short period of active service at Cornwall.

At the collapse of the Fenian campaign the Canadian militia forces were released from duty, in most cases within ten days of their last service postings, receiving an official statement of the “gratitude and admiration of their Queen and country”. Reporting on the repulses of the “cut throats in green”, Major Poole wrote: “The military officers who had an opportunity of observing the conduct of the volunteers speak in enthusiastic terms of their endurance, courage and discipline”. In Carleton Place a victory ball and supper “in a style not to be surpassed” was held for the volunteers in the stone building on the corner of Bridge and High Streets which was then William Kelly’s British Hotel.

Veterans who had seen active service in Ontario in 1866 or 1870 became entitled eventually to provincial grants of 160 acres of Crown lands. Service medals, some of which survive as family heirlooms, bear the receiver’s name and rank, a portrait of the queen and a design representing Canada, with a clasp carrying the words Fenian Raid 1866, or 1870. Eighteen veterans of the Fenian Raids marched at Carleton Place thirty years later, together with Andrew Dunlop, Crimean War medallist, in an impressive parade and reception held in November, 1900, on the return of Alex. C. Cram from the South African War. Some twenty-five veterans of the Raids who had served with the Carleton Place company and still were residents of the town included Maurice Burke, John Burke, William Beck, John Cavers, William Glover, David Moffatt, James Munro, David McPherson, Patrick Tucker, William Pattie and William Patterson.

Militia appointments of commissioned officers of No. 5 Company, Carleton Place, 41st Brockville Battalion of Rifles, made three years after the 1870 Fenian Raids, were Lieutenant Robert W. Bell as Captain, replacing David McPherson, resigned; Joseph Cram as Lieutenant, and George Gillies as Ensign replacing William Poole, deceased. Joseph McKay, son of James McKay, Bell Street baker, rose in his long militia service here from lieutenant of No. 5 Company in the late 1870’s to lieutenant colonel of his regiment at the turn of the century. Rifle Ranges at Carleton Place were constructed during Lieut. Colonel McKay’s command. Carleton Place No. 5 Company in the 1890’s had become No. 2 Company of the 42nd Lanark and Renfrew Regiment, which it remained in the years up to the opening of the First World War. In August 1914, its first twelve volunteers for overseas active service left Carleton Place, commanded by Captain William H. Hooper. They were sergeants Horace Brown, James McGill and George New; privates Robert Borland, Lochart Campbell, Leonard Halsey, Joseph Hamilton, Harry McLaren, Neil McPhee, Ernest Reynolds and Arthur Simons; and their captain, Will Hooper.

When Canada’s accomplishments of the past and promise of the future are being recognized in the Centennial of Confederation, and honours paid to its defenders and servants of peace and war, the military volunteers who were ready to offer their lives in the confederation decade will have a secure place among those worthy of remembrance.

Officer in the 41st Brockville Rifle Battalion. Likely Capt. James Condie Poole, first Company Commander of No. 5 Company (Carleton Place)

No. 5 Company (Carleton Place) 41st Brockville Battalion of Rifles:From left to right: James Storey, William Dack, Donald Stewart, William Duff, Patrick Tucker.

These Photos are courtesy of the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum. Thanks Jennifer!

The testing of Canada’s defences at the time we were preparing to base our future on Confederation, and some of the men who shared in meeting that test, have been the subjects of the earlier parts of this story of the threats to Confederation known as the Fenian Raids. The attacks on Canada made across its now undefended southern border in the memorable Confederation years, together with earlier risks of a recurrence of war with the United States, were among the impelling reasons for forming the federal union which is to be honoured in local and national centennial celebrations next year as the birth of our present nation.

The traditions of military service of the men of the Ottawa Valley had their beginnings in the stocks which first settled in the Valley. Among them were many who both in Europe and North America had worn the King’s uniform in war, as had their ancestors. The quartermaster general’s department of the forces of British North America had carried out the task of placing on their lands the large number of families of Scottish and Irish emigrants and demobilized soldiers brought here in the area’s formative years of 1816 to 1822. Known first as the Rideau Military Settlements, this area became the judicial district of Bathurst, containing the greater part of Lanark and Carleton counties and of the later settled present county of Renfrew, with Perth as the judicial and district administrative seat of the district, which included the site of the future capital of Canada.

As confidently expected when the settlement of this area was planned after the War of 1812, its men were ready to serve their sovereign and their new homeland’s needs in the next calls to arms. These came in attacks on Canada’s borders after the Canadian Rebellion and again after the United States Civil War, and finally in the great challenges of the past fifty years.

The Fenian Raids of 1866 had caused a further strengthening of the Canadian militia and a continued vigilance. Among Eastern Ontario military units which were constituted then were the 41st and 42nd Battalions. Both were groupings of militia companies which had been formed to help face the American pressures of the previous five years. The six rifle companies designated as those of the areas of Brockville, Carleton Place, Gananoque, Merrickville, Pakenham and Perth became the 41st Battalion, Brockville Rifles, under Lieut. Colonel James D. Crawford. The 42nd Battalion of Infantry, formed in October, 1866, under Lieut. Colonel Jacob D. Buell, was composed of the six infantry companies based on Almonte, Brockville, Fitzroy, Landsdowne, Perth and Smiths Falls. These two officers contended for parliamentary seats in the first federal elections. At Confederation, Colonel Crawford was elected to Parliament for the Brockville riding, a riding which in the next two elections was won by Colonel Buell.

In local promotions of November and December, 1866, Captain Poole of Carleton Place and Captain Gemmill of Almonte became majors of their battalions. Lieutenant John Brown, Carleton Place merchant, became captain of this town’s No. 5 Company. Peter McDougall, textile manufacturer, was commissioned Captain of the Almonte company, with James Rosamond, junior, as lieutenant. Continued company training, with quarterly inspections and annual summer battalion exercises, were carried on for general defence purposes and in anticipation of any further Fenian move.

A lighter side of militia service in the 1860’s is seen in a report of an evening gathering before the local companies left for their eight days of battalion training in June, 1868; when “the men of Carleton Place Rifle Company entertained their officers to a first class supper in Metcalf’s Hotel, in this village. The room was tastefully decorated. The proceedings wound up with a ball, to the tune of “We won’t go home till morning.”

At his year’s camp the men were “allowed one dollar per diem, out of which they pay for their rations, but as these are chiefly upon the club system they are enabled to save seventy-five cents a day.” Major Poole, the Carleton Place Herald publisher, observed that they were “well trained, stout hearted brave boys who wished no better sport than balancing accounts with General O’Neil’s invading army. The Fenians should be treated as ordinary ruffians.” The Snider rifles, he added, were “the most effective weapons in the world.” He is said to have provided some evidence of the latter claim himself in Brockville during the 1866 raids. A somewhat improbable version of an 1866 episode of the guarding of the Brockville front, with Captain Poole named as star performer, was related in an Old Boys Reunion souvenir number of the Brockville Recorder forty years after the event. Clearly improved with age and described by its contributor to be “undoubtedly true”, it claimed:

“All vessels passing the sentries on the docks were challenged. One night a small scow was noticed passing up close to shore. She was challenged by the sentry but he received no response from the scow. The sentry was ordered to fire by Captain Poole, the officer in command. He being averse to doing so, the Captain took the rifle and fired at the scow’s lantern. The shot smased the lantern and cut the halter of a horse that was on deck. The horse backed up and fell into the hold, breaking its leg. The scow then came to shore and proved to be a smuggler, which accounted for the desire of its captain to escape close scrutiny. Captain Poole paid for the horse.”

Carleton Place provided its battalion’s brass band, and in June, 1869, it was reported that “through the exertions of Lt. Colonel Crawford, M.P., 41st Battalion clothing and accoutrements have been obtained from the Government for the Band of the Battalion, whose headquarters are in Carleton Place.” A remaining photograph of the band in uniform performing in front of a row of army tents, appears to have been made either during the yearly training period at Brockville in September 1869, or when on active service in 1870 at Cornwall.

RAIDS RENEWED

The renewal of a military campaign against Canada was approved in secrecy at what was called the ninth annual convention of the Fenian Brotherhood, held in December, 1869, in the city of New York. Every American state at that time was said to have been represented by delegates. Arms and ammunition estimated as sufficient to equip fifteen thousand men were smuggled in the following spring to storage depots between Ogdensburg and St. Albans. Malone and St. Albans were selected as main Fenian northern mustering bases. Canadian detection of these preparations led to the posting of five thousand men for a short time in April on Quebec’s borders facing New York and Vermont, where crossings into Canada could be made without water transportation. Additional units were placed at Windsor and Sarnia.

In May over a thousand Fenians under their military leader and brotherhood president John O”Neill gathered as a vanguard at Franklin, Vermont. When a border crossing from this point was repelled at Eccles Hill in the last week of May, with Fenian casualties, their leader O’Neill was placed under arrest, on re-entering his home country in his hasty retreat. A smaller Fenian contingent from Malone occupied an entrenched Trout River position inside the Huntingdon border from which it was expelled with even greater ease and a few casualties among the invaders.

The Fenian plans proved to be unsuccessful at every turn. They were confined by much nearer to adequate United States government political and military intervention, and were blocked by thorough Canadian defence measures. After the failure of their efforts a number of Fenian leaders were arrested by United States authorities. “General” John O’Neill was sentenced to six months imprisonment. His third and final filibuster was an 1871 attempt to lead an expedition into Manitoba in support of the program of Louis Riel.

Canadian militia forces were rushed to main Ontario river border points when the Fenians began their moves in May of 1870 into Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Principal Ontario places of attack were expected to be on the St. Lawrence River front at Cornwall and Prescott. Orders for Ontario Militia units to occupy defence posts from Cornwall to Sarnia were sent by telegraph on May 24th. In Eastern Ontario, men throughout the Ottawa and St. Lawrence valleys, already alerted, left Victoria Day celebrations under active service orders.

Well, he was reading “The Scottish Minstrel : the songs of Scotland subsequent to Burns , with memoirs of the poets.” This edition by Charles Rogers, was published in 1882, and was #28 in the library collection, making it one of the first books acquired. This subject would have appealed to the many people living in Carleton Place, who were of Scottish and English descent. The biographies of the many ‘modern’ bards showcased within are just as interesting to read about now, as they were in the late 1800’s.

From the preface we learn that, “The present Collection proceeds on the plan of presenting memoirs of the song writers in connection with their compositions, thus making the reader acquainted with the condition of every writer, and with the circumstances in which his minstrelsy was given forth. In this manner, too, many popular songs, of which the origin was unknown, have been permanently connected with the names of their authors.”

The frontispiece in this book displays a lovely picture of the Baroness Nairne, who was Carolina Nairne, nee Oliphant (16 August 1766-26 October 1845.) She was a famous Scottish songwriter and song collector, bringing out a collection of national airs set to appropriate words, as well as a large number of original songs.

Our ledger shows that it was read in February, 1897 by a W. M. Dunham. After consulting various census and marriage records, we find that William Matthew Dunham was born in Brockville, Ontario in 1849, the son of a doctor, of English descent. He starts out by working as a shop clerk near Brockville, and before his marriage in 1881, he is a clerk working in Ottawa. By 1891 he is living with his wife, Margaret Ann Rochester, and their family of three, in Carleton Place. He was listed as a retail merchant of independent means, dealing in dry goods. More than likely he dealt with some of the abundant woollen mills in Carleton Place. After the 1901 census, he seems to disappear.

He and his family may have entertained themselves that winter by singing some of the folk songs found in “The Scottish Minstrel”, like ‘Robin Goodheart’s Carol’, by James Manson.

“Tis Yule, ‘tis Yule! All eyes are bright,

And joyous songs abound;

Our log burns high, but it glows less bright

Than the eyes which sparkle round.”

Mysteriously, sometimes the songs indicate which ‘air’ or tune to sing them to, but just as often, they do not. Possibly, everyone was familiar with a great many of the songs included in the book, and just knew enough to sing them to the air “My only Foe and Dearie O!”, or to “Bonny Dundee”. Or maybe they were just as happy to read them like poetry. There’s no way to know.

James Manson’s biography says that his songs were ‘sung by admiring circles in Glasgow and throughout the west of Scotland.’ Maybe in Canada too!

“On November 18, 2013, LAC will implement a “lender of last resort” service…our own approach to loans will focus on items that are unique to LAC’s holdings that are not available through other institutions, through digital channels, or through paid service options.”

Southern Ontario Library Service explains what this means for public libraries in terms of acquiring materials from LAC for their patrons:

“They did state in their original announcement that if they adopted this policy, they would only be lending if they were absolutely the only location that held a given item, so if there were locations that held the item required, even lenders that charged for ILL, (newspapers on microfilm included), they will not lend it, so even if this ever happens, actually getting anything on ILL from them will still be pretty unlikely.”

Defence routine at Brockville was reported “From the Frontier” on June 13, 1866 by Captain Poole:

“We parade three times a day, at six o’clock in the morning, at ten and four. The men are drilled from one to two hours each time. Guard is mounted at 11 o’clock, and in addition to the regular sentries the town is patrolled during the night. One party goes east, the other west of the guard room, which is the new market building near the Wilson House. There is also a gun boat which cruises up and down the river, so that you see the Fenians can hardly take us unawares.

The men are all cheerful and contented. As there are only six companies in town they are pretty well accommodated, in fact much better than their brethren in arms at Prescott, some of whom are quartered in an old brewery with one blanket apiece to sleep on. Though many have left home at great personal loss they all seem willing to remain away so long as it may be necessary for the defence of their country.

I imagine the Fenian bubble is about burst, but it will of course be necessary to keep a considerable force on active service for some time, for should our volunteers be sent home the Fenians might annoy us by making raids for the mere sake of plunder, especially since the United States government is giving them every encouragement, though pretending to frown upon the movement.”

The homecoming of the Carleton Place and Almonte troops, at the start of what proved to be a four year suspension of American Fenian border activity, was recorded a week later:

“The Fenians, warned by their defeat at Fort Erie and the chase of the Royal Guides at Pigeon Hill in Missiquoi County, have quieted down and apparently given up the idea of taking Canada at present. The Canadian Government, having a due regard to economy and considering the immediate danger past, have ordered home a portion of the Volunteer force who have been on duty on the frontier for the past fortnight.

On Saturday evening last, Lieut. Colonel Crawford, who was in command of the force stationed at Brockville, received an order to relieve from further service the Almonte and Carleton Place companies which formed a portion of the Battalion under his command. Arrangements were made with the B. & O. R.R. to have a special train in readiness on Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock to convey them to their homes. The Battalion mustered in the Court House Square and, having wheeled into line, formed fours and marched to the station.

The Almonte and Carleton Place men having got on board, the train moved off amid the cheers of the Brockville and Perth companies which were drawn up in line on the platform. The run was made to Carleton Place in a little over two hours, and in a few minutes the brave fellows were surrounded by their friends. It is a matter of congratulation that they were not required to place themselves in immediate danger, as also that they did not require the services of the young ladies who kindly volunteered to do service if necessary.

In the meantime it will be a question for our authorities to decide what they shall do with their Fenian prisoners. A more criminal raid was never heard of in the history of modern nations, and the idea of asserting Irish independence by a murderous onslaught on the residents of a remote British province is absurd. Let us however exhibit moderation in the punishment we shall award to our captives.”

Another four years of danger lay ahead. The second overt challenge came when forces under the Fenian Brotherhood president and military firebrand, John O”Neill, rallied again in 1870 by grace of insufficient United States government restraint, to attack the new Dominion of Canada, and Canadian militia units were placed on duty at points of possible invasion on our Quebec and Ontario international borders.

Researchers take note – Frances Moore has delivered her Moore Family History to the library! It’s been seven years in the making. Thank you so much Frances! This is a welcome addition to our family history section in the Local History Room, where it is available for all to view.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask other people in our community who may have completed family histories, to think about donating a copy to the library. We often have people drop by or email us with questions about local families, and would love to be able to answer their questions.

This will be of particular interest to genealogical and family history societies across Canada.

Stimulated by problems arising from actions, and inaction, at Library and Archives Canada, and a changing environment for archives and libraries generally, the Royal Society of Canadahas convened an Expert Panel with mandate:

To investigate what services Canadians, including Aboriginal Canadians and new Canadians, are currently receiving from libraries and archives.

To explore what Canadian society expects of libraries and archives in the 21st century.

To identify the necessary changes in resources, structures, and competencies to ensure libraries and archives serve the Canadian public good in the 21st century.

To listen to and consult the multiple voices that contribute to community building and memory building.

To demonstrate how deeply the knowledge universe has been and will continue to be revolutionized by digital technology.

To conceptualize the integration of the physical and the digital in library and archive spaces.

It’s unclear how the consultation sessions will work. Some very short session are scheduled at the first stop in Yellowknife. I expect clarification next week. There is also the opportunity for written input.

Given the importance of archives and libraries for genealogy and family history, and with many small and not so small archives depend on volunteers from our community, the Expert Panel should hear from us, likely through the major societies we support to represent our interests.

Those interested in the future of libraries might want to read a report Facing the Future(pdf) written by one of the panel members, Ken Roberts which in discussing interlibrary loan mentions:

“many of the requested items are from people conducting genealogical research and who seek cemetery records and newspaper birth announcements. People might gain better, and more immediate access if there were a focused effort to digitize such material. While initially more expensive, digitization may save ongoing Interlibrary loan costs. We don’t know because, to my knowledge, no studies exist.”

When agreement was being reached for the attainment of Canada’s Confederation, the borders of the present provinces of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick were manned with Canadian and British forces prepared to repel invasion. The strange enemy was the private army of the Fenian Brotherhood and its so-called Irish Republic of North America. It was based in a northern United States flushed but worn by its Civil War success and lacking to this extreme degree in an attitude of friendship for Great Britain and Canada.

The Fenians and their followers quickly formed a misguided but large and reckless organization. Their preparations had been carried out with the tolerance of the United States government during the term of office of one of that nation’s worst presidents. Canada, by the Fenian plan, was to become Irish Fenian territory from which, with the aid of other nations, Ireland would be freed from England’s rule. Then Canada might possibly be handed over to the United States.

The Fenian Raids against Canada in 1866, renewed in 1870, came from a fertile soil for this mad scheme. Calling their organization an Irish Republic, the American Fenian leaders and their delegates from most of the then existing states of the union met in Cincinnati in September, 1865, and adopted a paper constitution modeled on that of the United States. Its active parts were its War Department and its Treasury. Foot-loose soldiers trained in the Civil War were available by the thousand and not averse to conquest and plunder. The tools and the spirit of war were in abundant supply. With more able Fenian direction Canada might have paid dearly.

The main encounters of the 1866 Raids were in Welland County and in the Eastern Townships in the first week of June. They were recalled in the first installment of this story of invasion dangers accompanying our Confederation, for which local and national Centennial celebrations now are being prepared. The Eastern Ontario points considered most threatened were Cornwall, Prescott, Brockville and Kingston. Some two thousand troops hastily placed at Cornwall included parts of two British regiments and militia of Cornwall, Argenteuil County, Kingston and Ottawa.

At Prescott a force of similar size included several companies of British troops and militia units of Hawkesbury, Belleville, Gananoque and the Ottawa area. Two of the latter companies were those of Fitzroy and Pakenham. Prescott’s Fort Wellington was strengthened and supplied with artillery reinforcements. Kingston’s fortifications remained garrisoned by British troops. Its district district militia units of rifles, infantry, artillery and cavalry went on active service standing. With lighter forces of the Ottawa area the capital city of Ottawa also was garrisoned.

Brockville’s defences were provided by the rifle companies of Brockville, Carleton Place and Perth and the infantry companies of Almonte, Perth, Brockville and Gananoque, under Lieut. Colonel James Crawford. A principal historical account of the Fenian Raids published in 1910 states: “These companies were exceedingly efficient, and did great service in guarding the riverfront and railway communications at Brockville. Col. Crawford and his troops received great praise from the Major-General for the very satisfactory manner in which they did their duty on these trying occasions.” (John A. Macdonald, writer of the 1910 history of the Fenian Raids, served on the Niagara frontier in 1866 and 1870, founded and edited the Arnprior Chronicle, and was a captain of the 43rd Battalion, Ottawa and Carleton Rifles.)

Captain James Poole’s newspaper’s report of the departure of June 3 of the Carleton Place company for the front said in part:

“After having been on the alert for about twenty-four hours awaiting an order to proceed to the frontier, a hurried dispatch was received about midnight on Sunday that the volunteer companies of Carleton Place and Almonte should be ready in about an hour to repair to Brockville by a special train. At 2:30 a.m. on Sunday the train arrived bringing the Almonte Company of Infantry under the command of Captain Gemmill. The Carleton Place Rifle Company commanded by Captain Poole and Lieutenant Brown were in waiting, having been accompanied to the station by over a hundred of our citizens. At the request of Captain Poole the Rev. J. A. Preston addressed the men.

It was a solemn and moving sight, the moonlight giving a dim view of the outline of the ranks and the friends and relatives moving to and fro as they took leave of those near and dear to them, discharging their duty to defend out hearths and homes against the invasion of a lawless band of marauders. As the train left the station three hearty cheers from the citizens rang the air, lustily re-echoed by the true men whom we hope to welcome soon again.”